驻华使馆礼宾指南（英文版）

Foreword

The Government of the People’s Republic of China, pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities, ensures that diplomatic missions in China and their staff members enjoy the diplomatic privileges and immunities stipulated in the aforementioned Convention and Regulations.

To facilitate the effective performance of functions of diplomatic missions and for the convenience of daily life of their staff, we have compiled the current protocol regulations and practices of China into the Protocol Guidelines for Diplomatic Missions in China for use by diplomatic missions. The Protocol Guidelines also apply to offices of international organizations in China.

Should there be any changes in these regulations and practices, notices, announcements or explanations will be duly made by the competent Chinese authorities.

The Protocol Department of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People’s Republic of China

December 2006

Contents

I. Arrival and Departure of Ambassador　

 (I)Arrival..　

 (II)Departure　

II. Application for Certificates　

 (I) Identity certificates..　

 (II)Residence registration.　

 (III) Access cards to restricted areas of the Beijing Capital Airport 

III. Diplomatic Functions　

 (I) Receptions to mark national day or the establishment of diplomatic relations with China 

 (II) Charity sales 

 (III) Paying condolences 

 (IV) Cultural events 

 (V) Educational exchanges　

 (VI)  Setting ballot boxes and organizing voter registration on the premises of diplomatic  missions 

IV. Exemption of Customs Duties 

V. Diplomatic Bags　

VI. Quarantine of Animals and Plants 

VII. Refund of Value-Added Tax　

VIII. Motor Vehicles and Driving in China　

 (I) Motor vehicles　

 (II) Driver’s licenses　

 (III) Traffic violations and penalty　

IX. Travel　

X. Telecommunications Service　

XI. Firearms Control　

XII. Study　

XIII. Spouse Employment　

XIV. Visits to China by State Guests and Foreign VIPs  

I．Arrival and departure of Ambassador

(I) Arrival

 1. Arrival in Beijing

 (1) The diplomatic mission is requested to advise the Protocol Department in writing one week in advance of the arrival time, flight (or train) number and the number of people accompanying the ambassador. 

 (2) The ambassador will be met by a representative of the Protocol Department at the airport (or railway station). A VIP lounge will be provided and customs inspection will be exempted.

 (3) The diplomatic mission is expected to make arrangements for local transportation and residence.

 2. Presentation of the Copy of Credentials

 A senior official of the Protocol Department will receive the copy of credentials on the appointment of the new ambassador and the copy of credentials of the recall of the former ambassador and brief the ambassador on the procedures of presenting credentials and related matters.

 After the date and specific time of presenting credentials are set, the Protocol Department will notify the diplomatic mission of related arrangements.

 3. Presentation of Credentials

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide a protocol car for the ambassador to present credentials. It is expected that the accompanying diplomats will take cars of the diplomatic mission.

 Dress code: National dress, suit or formal attire.

 4. Courtesy Call

 (1) Premier of the State Council will meet outgoing and incoming ambassadors, usually in groups on a non-regular basis. No courtesy call on other state leaders will be arranged.

 (2) The foreign minister will meet with the ambassador.

 If the ambassador wishes to call on officials of other government departments, the diplomatic mission may contact them directly.

(II) Departure

Date of Departure

The diplomatic mission should inform the Protocol Department of the date of departure of the ambassador in writing as early as possible. 

Farewell Call

 (1) Premier of the State Council will meet outgoing and incoming ambassadors, usually in groups on a non-regular basis. No farewell call on other state leaders will be arranged.

 (2) The foreign minister or another senior official of the Foreign Ministry will meet with the ambassador. 

If the ambassador wishes to pay farewell calls on officials of other government departments, the diplomatic mission may contact them directly.

Farewell Dinner

 A competent vice (or Assistant) foreign minister will hold a farewell dinner for the ambassador. 

Departure from Beijing

 (1) The diplomatic mission should inform the Protocol Department of the departure date, specific time, flight (or train) number and the number of accompanying persons in writing as early as possible.

 (2) The ambassador will be seen off by a representative of the Protocol Department at the airport (or railway station). A VIP lounge will be provided and customs inspection will be exempted.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs or the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

II. Application for Certificates

(I) Identity Certificates 

 A member of the diplomatic mission and his/her family members who have arrived in China should apply for corresponding certificates of identity from the Protocol Department as soon as possible, carry the certificates when leaving the mission and present them when the military, police, check post or relevant authorities require.

 1. Types of Certificate of Identity

 “Diplomatic Identity Card” is issued to diplomats of diplomatic missions in China and members of the offices of international organizations with diplomatic status as well as their spouses.

 “Identity Card” is issued to the administrative, technical and service staff members of diplomatic missions and corresponding members of the offices of international organizations in China as well as their spouses.

 “Residence Permit” is issued to minor children accompanying the members of diplomatic missions and the offices of international organizations in China. (below 18 years old and holding their own passports, excluding foreign students in China and those married.)

 “Residence Card” is issued to adult children (at or above 18 years old), parents, parents-in-law and non-immediate relatives of the members of diplomatic missions and the offices of international organizations in China.

Application

Diplomatic missions should send notes verbale to the Protocol Department to apply for applicable certificates of identity for any new member and his/her family members according to his/her post or status within one week of their arrival in Beijing. His/her passport, four 3cm×2.4cm bareheaded, full-faced and color ID photos and a filled-in Application Form of ID Card or Application Form of Residence Card in duplicate should be enclosed in the note. To apply for “Residence Permit”, the names and the numbers of the certificates of identity of the parents of the applicant should be provided. If the children use the same passport with their parent, there is no need to apply for such cards.

 When applying for certificates of identity for a new member, the diplomatic mission should specify the name, post and departure time of his/her predecessor in the note. Only after receiving the certificates of identity returned by the predecessor and his/her family members will the Protocol Department issue the certificate of identity to the successor

Application for Extension

 If a certificate of identity is due to expire soon but its holder needs to stay at the post, the diplomatic mission should send a note verbale about one month before the expiry date to the Protocol Department to apply for its extension.

 No extension will be given to an expired certificate.

Change of Status

 If a certificate holder’s status is changed, he/she (and his/her family members) needs to apply for a new certificate of identity. The diplomatic mission should send to the Protocol Department within a week of change of status a note verbale with the holder’s passport, original certificate of identity (and those of his/her family members) as well as two 3cm×2.4cm, bareheaded, full-faced and color photos for each applicant enclosed. If a person’s status is changed from an administrative or technical staff member to a diplomat, the original passport, the newly issued diplomatic passport, two registration forms with photos, two photos and the original certificate of identity should be enclosed in the note. 

Reissuance of Certificate of Identity

 If a certificate of identity is lost, the diplomatic mission should file a loss report to the local public security authorities and send a note verbale to the Protocol Department to apply for a new one. The note should contain the original loss report and two photos of the applicant.

Return of Certificate of Identity

 The diplomatic mission should return the certificate of identity of a departing member (and his/her family members) to the Protocol Department in time to facilitate the application for certificate of identity by his/her successor.

 For further information, please contact the Office of ID Card & Travel Permit of the Protocol Department.

(II) Residence Registration

 If a diplomatic/service passport holder who comes to China with visa exemption to work temporarily at the diplomatic mission or to visit family intends to stay for more than 30 days in China, the diplomatic mission should send a note verbale with the passport of the applicant enclosed to the Protocol Department within 10 working days of his/her arrival in Beijing to complete “Residence Registration” formalities. The note should specify the applicant’s status, ground for staying and the duration of stay in China.

 If the aforementioned person comes to China with a visa valid for a specific period of time, there is no need for him/her to complete residence registration formalities within the valid period.

 For further information, please contact the Office of ID Card & Travel Permit of the Protocol Department.

(III) Access Cards to Restricted Areas of the Beijing Capital Airport

1.Special Access Cards to airport restricted areas

(1)Special Access Cards to airport restricted areas for ambassador (and his/her spouse)

 To apply for the Special Cards to airport restricted areas for ambassador (and his/her spouse), the diplomatic mission should send a note verbale (two copies) to the Protocol Department 15 working days in advance. 

After receiving the reply note of approval of the Protocol Department, the diplomatic mission may take it and a 3cm×2.4cm bareheaded and full-faced color ID photo of the ambassador (and his/her spouse) to the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau to obtain the Access Card(s) (Tel: 64564129).

When the Access Cards for ambassador (and hie/her spouse) expire, the diplomatic mission, no need of sending a note verbale to the Protocol Department, should apply to the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau to renew the cards within two weeks before expiration.

 (2) General Access Cards to airport restricted areas

 To apply for the General Access Cards to airport restricted areas, the diplomatic mission should send a note verbale (two copies) to the Protocol Department 15 working days in advance.. 

 The diplomatic mission may take the reply note of the Protocol Department to the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau to obtain the Access Card.

Every diplomatic mission may have five General Access Cards at most. The Protocol Department will approve based on the principle of reciprocity. When members of the diplomatic mission with General Access Card under his/her name does not use the General Access Card any longer for leaving his/her position or other reasons, he/she should return the card to the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau. The Section of Document will decide whether to renew or issue new cards according to the situation of returned cards and current number of access cards held by the diplomatic mission.

Diplomatic missions can apply to the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau to renew the cards and send a note verbale to the Protocol Department for reference.

 (3) Loss of Access Cards

If an access card is lost, the diplomatic mission must inform the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau in writing within 24 hours and notify the Protocol Department.

2.One-off Pass to airport restricted areas

In case of working need, members of the diplomatic mission can apply for One-off Passes to airport restricted areas. The One-off Passes can be used only once on the date of application.

The diplomatic mission should appoint a certain person to take charge of the passes to airport restricted areas. The samples of the stamp of the diplomatic mission, the signature of the authorized person and personal information of the person in charge should be sent to the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau for reference, and the diplomatic mission can get the special letters of introduction for applying for One-off Passes.

The relevant members of the diplomatic mission should take the special letter of introduction, a note verbale, diplomatic ID cards to the relevant terminal of the airport to apply for One-off Passes.

For more details of applying for access cards and passes, please contact the Section of Document of the Beijing Capital Airport Police Bureau (Tel: 64564129).

For further information, please contact the Division of Diplomatic Privileges & Immunities of the Protocol Department.

III. Diplomatic Functions 

(I) Receptions to Mark National Day or the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with China

 1. Diplomatic missions are requested to inform the Protocol Department through note verbale of the date and time of the receptions to mark national day or the establishment of diplomatic relations with China.

 2. The Protocol Department will forward invitations to Chinese state leaders and leading officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 3. According to protocol practices in China, a vice minister or an assistant minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will attend such receptions on behalf of the Chinese Government.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

(II) Charity Sales

 Diplomatic missions are requested to inform the Protocol Department through note verbale 10 working days before charity sales. If requested by the missions, the Protocol Department will, as necessary, provide relevant information. 

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

(III) Paying Condolences

 Diplomatic missions are requested to inform the Protocol Department in advance of the place and time for paying condolences. The Protocol Department will arrange for government representatives to pay condolences.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

(IV) Cultural Events

 Diplomatic missions or their members need to notify the Chinese government departments in charge of cultural, film and television affairs in advance if they are going to organize cultural events outside diplomatic premises.

 1. Cultural events include: cultural activities not covered by bilateral cultural exchange programs sponsored or co-sponsored by diplomatic missions outside their premises, such as cultural activities of celebration or commemoration, book exhibition, art performance, media exhibition, writing contest and film festivals as well as seminars, lectures, donation, award-giving and order awarding, and other cultural activities organized by members of diplomatic missions in their own name or on behalf of overseas institutions and organizations.

 2. To organize the aforementioned events, diplomatic missions should notify the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China in writing 20 working days in advance.

 3. To show films (including films shown as part of a cultural event), missions should inform the International Cooperation Department of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television in writing.

(V) Educational Exchanges

 1. If members of diplomatic missions plan to visit, give lectures or speeches, and have discussions at Chinese schools or attend international seminars sponsored by institutes of higher learning in China, they may contact the schools or institutes directly.

 2. If diplomatic missions need to discuss with the Chinese side about bilateral education cooperation projects (such as joint running of schools, joint establishment of scientific research centers and information centers, seminars, donation and financial aid to educational projects, conferment of academic titles and mutual visits), they may contact the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education.

(VI) Setting Ballot Boxes and Organizing Voter Registration on the Premises of Diplomatic Missions

 If diplomatic missions need to set ballot boxes on their premises or organize voter registration for general elections in the sending states, they should notify the Protocol Department of the time and procedure of the voting activities.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

IV. Exemption of Customs Duties

Articles imported or exported by diplomatic missions or their diplomatic agents

 For diplomatic mission or their diplomatic agents to import or export articles for official or private use by consignment or postal service, the Declaration Form of Articles for Official or Private Use Imported or Exported by Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Missions (in three copies) should be completed, affixed with the official seal of the mission, the signature of the head of the mission or authorized diplomatic agent and submitted with the list of articles and invoices to the Beijing Customs for clearance. Diplomatic missions and their diplomatic agents do not need to fill out the declaration form when they import or export articles in small packages through postal service. The Beijing Customs will screen and approve the import or export of the packages upon receiving a note verbale from the diplomatic mission and presentation of the identity certificate of the individual concerned issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

 Diplomatic agents of the missions should declare orally to the customs their carry-on baggage or articles for private use shipped by the same means of transport they use. The customs will clear them without inspection (or follow the procedure set out in the applicable bilateral agreement). If there is serious ground to believe that the baggage contains articles not for official or private use or are prohibited from import and export by Chinese laws and regulations, the customs has the right to inspect the baggage. The inspection should be conducted in the presence of the diplomatic agent concerned or his or her authorized representative.

 Articles imported by diplomatic missions declared for official use and those imported by diplomatic agents declared for private use are exempt from customs duties if the customs has determined that the quantity of the articles is within the reasonable limit for direct use by the missions or diplomatic agents. 

 If diplomatic missions or their staff wish to repatriate articles which are prohibited by the customs for import or export, they need to fill out the Certificate for the Repatriation of Imported or Exported Goods and complete the repatriation formalities within 90 days of the articles’ entry into China.

Articles imported or exported by administrative, technical or service staff of diplomatic mission. 

 The administrative, technical or service staff of diplomatic missions who are not Chinese citizens or permanent residents in China should make written declarations to the customs for articles for private use to be brought or shipped into China, including articles for household use which are imported within six months of taking the post. These articles will be cleared with duties exempted by the customs after its inspection shows that the quantity of the goods is within the reasonable limit for direct use by persons concerned (one car for one family). Articles for private use to be taken or shipped out of China will be cleared by the customs after inspection.

Transfer of imported articles that are exempted from customs duties 

Imported articles that are exempted from customs duties are not transferable.

 Prior permission must be obtained from the customs if such transfer is needed due to special reason. In this case, the Application Form for the Transfer of Ownership of Articles for Official or Private Use of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions (in three copies) must be completed and presented to the Beijing Customs. When the transfer is approved, the recipient or transferor should complete formalities for paying customs duties in accordance with relevant regulations.

(IV) Definition of articles for official use and private use

 “Articles for official use” refer to articles used by diplomatic missions in performing official functions, including furniture, ornaments, office equipment, supplies for reception activities and motor vehicles. “Articles for private use” refer to articles for daily use by members of the missions, their spouses and minor children accompanying them during their stay in China, including furniture, household electrical appliances and motor vehicles.

  For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

V. Diplomatic Bags

 Incoming and outgoing diplomatic bags must be clearly marked on the exterior and only used for delivering diplomatic documents or articles for official use.

 Diplomatic couriers must hold proper papers issued by the competent authorities of the sending state. The captain of a commercial aircraft, entrusted by a diplomatic mission, may deliver diplomatic bags, but he must hold official papers from the consigner country indicating the number of bags. To send diplomatic bags through consignment shipping or through the captain of a commercial aircraft, diplomatic missions should send their staff to complete the procedures for delivery or dispatch. Those responsible for escorting diplomatic bags (diplomatic couriers), and those for their collection and consignment shipping should respect the regulations of airports, railway stations and ports, and should not enter the restricted areas of airport aprons, railway stations and ports. 

 The weight and size of a diplomatic bag should be reasonable. Container should not be used as a diploqmatic bag. The total weight of each batch of diplomatic bags must not exceed 1,000 kilograms and each bag must not exceed 100 kilograms. The cubic space of a diplomatic bag should not exceed 1000mmⅹ1000mmⅹ1000mm. The part in excess must be declared for entry as articles for official use for diplomatic missions. The diplomatic bags of acceptable weight and size carried by a special plane or chartered plane or transported by railway, ships or other means, or consignment shipping should be placed in a customs-supervised warehouse after being unloaded and may be picked up after relevant declaration procedures are completed by diplomatic missions.

 The weight and size of carry-on diplomatic bags should meet the requirements of air, railway or shipping authorities (companies).

 Diplomatic missions should provide five copies of the mark on the exterior of diplomatic bags and samples of their courier identification papers to the competent customs authorities for the record.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

 VI. Quarantine of Animals and Plants

 To import or export animals, plants, related products or other items subject to quarantine inspection, diplomatic missions must declare them to the quarantine authorities for inspection at ports of entry or exit.

 Members of diplomatic missions who intend to bring pets into China should present, upon entry, the pets’ health and quarantine certificates and valid immunization records.

 Personal baggage of diplomats accredited to China is exempt from inspection according to relevant regulations in China. However, when there are serious grounds for believing that the baggage may contain items which are prohibited from entry or need quarantine clearance under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, the quarantine authorities have the right to carry out inspection on it. Such inspection will take place in the presence of diplomats concerned or their representatives.

 In accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, the quarantine authorities may disinfect, return or destroy animals, plants, related products or other items subject to quarantine brought in by members of diplomatic missions which are prohibited from entry or have failed to pass quarantine inspection. 

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

 VII. Refund of Value-Added Tax (VAT)

 (I) Organizations and individuals eligible for VAT refund

 On the basis of reciprocity, the Chinese Government accepts claims of VAT refund by diplomatic missions, diplomatic agents and administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of China on goods and services they have purchased in China. 

 (II) Goods and services covered by VAT refund

 Refund may be claimed on goods and services on which VAT is levied in accordance with the Provisional Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Value-Added Tax and when the amount of a single invoice is no less than RMB800. However, there is no minimum amount requirement for invoices for tap water, electricity, gas for daily use, heating and repair services.

 (III) Claims for VAT refund will not be accepted if the prices are too high or the quantities of the purchase are too large without justifiable explanation.

  (IV) For procedures for VAT refund on fuel for motor vehicles, refer to “Exemption of VAT on Fuel” in the Chapter of “Motor Vehicles and Driving in China”.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

VIII. Motor Vehicles and Driving in China

(I) Motor Vehicles

 1. Import, export and transfer of motor vehicles

 A diplomatic agent may import one vehicle for private use during his/her term of office in China. The administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions may import one motor vehicle per household for private use within the first six months of their term of office in China. 

 To import, export or transfer motor vehicles for official or private use, diplomatic missions should inform the Protocol Department and the Beijing Customs in notes verbale in advance. 

 At the end of tour of duty, members of diplomatic missions should, before departure, complete customs formalities for disposing of vehicles for private use.

 Upon completion of procedures for the import, export or transfer of motor vehicles, members of diplomatic missions should log on to the “Vehicle Administration System of Foreign Diplomatic Missions in China” (webpage: http://protocol.fmprc.gov.cn) and fill in forms with detailed information on vehicles. Otherwise, the transferred vehicles used by diplomatic missions or their members will not be regarded as diplomatic vehicles and will not be entitled to diplomatic privileges or immunities.

 2. Exemption of VAT on fuel

 Members of diplomatic missions are entitled to purchasing VAT-free fuel for their vehicles at service stations of China National Petroleum Corporation and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation in Beijing. The procedures are as follows: Complete online vehicle registration as required at the webpage of “Vehicle Administration System of Foreign Diplomatic Missions in China” (http://protocol.fmprc.gov.cn) and, upon approval of the Protocol Department, purchase cards for VAT-free fuel at outlets designated by the two afore-mentioned companies and charge the cards with money. At the time of fuelling, the VAT of the purchased petrol will be exempted as long as it is within the quarterly VAT-free quota, but the amount that exceeds the quota will be charged at normal VAT-inclusive price.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

(II) Driver’s Licenses

 Chinese driver’s licenses for motor vehicles are issued to members of diplomatic missions on the basis of diplomatic reciprocity. 

 To apply for driver’s licenses, please contact the Foreign Affairs Section of the Vehicles Administration Division of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau at No.18, Nan Si Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing. (It is located on the eastern side of the compound of the Vehicles Administration Division to the south-west of the Shibalidian South Bridge intersection along the Nan Si Huan Lu; Telephone: 87625150)

 The website of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau: www. bjjtgl. gov. cn.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department. 

(III) Traffic Violations and Penalty

 1. Members of diplomatic missions have the obligation to respect China’s laws and regulations and should comply with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Road Traffic Safety. They must have compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for their motor vehicles which should go through annual inspection as required. In case of traffic violations, the members of diplomatic missions concerned should pay fines set out in relevant Chinese regulations.

 2. In case of a traffic accident, please dial “122” immediately to report the accident to traffic police, assist the traffic authorities in keeping the scene of the accident intact and present relevant papers to help the police determine liability for the accident. 

 3. In case of casualties, please dial “120” or “999” immediately for first aid.

 4. After the accident, please promptly inform insurance company concerned for compensation claim and keep in touch with the traffic authorities. (Division of Accident Handling of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau: 68398203.) 

 5. The ruling made in accordance with the law by the traffic authorities is valid, as they are the competent authorities. If there are disputes between the parties involved over compensation and accident handling, please apply for mediation within 10 days after the accident liability report is issued by the traffic authorities. Mediation will be carried out by the traffic authorities on condition that it is agreed by both sides. Should there be objection to mediation, solution may be sought through judicial channels.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Asian & African Affairs and the Office of European, American & Oceanian Affairs of the Protocol Department.

IX. Travel

(I) Travel to other places

 When traveling to other places in China, members of diplomatic missions (and their families) are required to bring with them valid identification certificates. They should not enter areas marked as “Off limits for visitors without permission”.

 If members of diplomatic missions wish to call on leading officials of local governments or hold discussions with departments of local governments, they should send notes verbale to the foreign affairs offices in relevant provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government 10 working days in advance. 

 Members of diplomatic missions and their families who intend to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region should apply to the Foreign Affairs Office of the Tibetan Autonomous Region at least 15 working days in advance. After their applications are approved, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Tibetan Autonomous Region will make arrangements for their activities in Tibet.

(II) Means of transport

 Members of diplomatic missions and their families are required to use public transportation when traveling to other places. They may use their own motor vehicles when traveling on the Beijing-Tianjin Highway and Beijing-Tianjin-Beidaihe Highway (during the summer season between 1 June and 30 September).

 For further information, please contact the Office of ID Card and Travel Permit of the Protocol Departmen

X. Telecommunications Service

1. For Internet access or fixed-line telephone installation, diplomatic missions, no need of approval of the Procotol Department, may directly contact the telecommunications operators.

2. For importing and using radio equipment, using radio channels, setting radio communication network, international or domestic private leased circuits, importing and installing VSAT antenna and equipment, the diplomatic missions should apply to the Protocol Department. According to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China concerning Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities, the Procotol Department approve the application based on the principle of reciprocity (The application of consulates will be approved by the Department of Consular Affairs).

3. Applying for importing, installing and using the above-mentioned telecommunication equipment, the diplomatic missions should log on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Protocol Service-Telecommunication Equipment Declaration and Approval Management System to fill in relevant forms and and send a note verbale, together with the application forms, to the Protocol Department. The dimplomatic missions should take the reply note of the Protocol Department to finish the declaration and installation.

4. The imported telecommunication equipment should meet the requirements of China's technical system.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

XI. Firearms Control

(I) Entry procedures for firearms and ammunition

 1. Members of diplomatic missions who intend to bring firearms and ammunition into China should file application (in duplicate) 15 working days in advance to the Protocol Department, specifying the type, name, model, quantity and serial number of the firearms and ammunition.

 2. Upon receiving reply note of approval from the Protocol Department, members of diplomatic missions may register the firearms and ammunition and obtain a Permit for the Possession and Transportation of Firearms and Ammunition at the inspection station of the port of entry.

 3. The firearms and ammunition will be cleared by the customs upon presentation of the Permit for the Possession and Transportation of Firearms and Ammunition.

 4. Holder of the firearms should complete the registration procedure at the local municipal public security bureau within 15 days of entry by presenting the reply note from the Protocol Department and the Permit for the Possession and Transportation of Firearms and Ammunition and filling out the Registration Form of Firearms Possessed by Diplomatic Missions in China and Their Staff (in duplicate, with one copy of the Form for self keeping).

(II) Exit procedures for firearms and ammunition

 1. Diplomatic missions and their staff wishing to take firearms and ammunition out of China should file applications (in duplicate) to the Protocol Department 5 working days in advance, specifying the type, name, model, quantity and serial number of the firearms and ammunition they wish to take out of China.

 2. Holder of the firearms should register the firearms and ammunition at the customs and border inspection station at port of exit by presenting the reply note of approval from the Protocol Department.

(III) Storage of firearms and ammunition

 Firearms and ammunition brought into China with permission of the Protocol Department must be stored at the Embassy or the ambassador’s official residence. It is prohibited to bring them out of the diplomatic premises.

 For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

XII. Study

If members of diplomatic missions wish to study at institutes of higher learning or attend Chinese language courses for a period of no more than one year, diplomatic missions should send notes verbale to the Protocol Department and the schools where they wish to study to state that they will waive diplomatic privileges and immunities and abide by school regulations during their studies. Applicants are not required to change the type of their passports, visas or ID cards.

If the spouses of members of diplomatic missions wish to study at institutes of higher learning, they may apply directly to the schools where they wish to study. Applicants may keep the diplomatic privileges and immunities they enjoy and are not required to change the type of their passports, visas or ID cards.

If the adult children of members of diplomatic missions wish to study at regular institutes of higher learning, diplomatic missions need to send notes verbale of application to the Protocol Department before enrollment, attached with offer letters from the institutes concerned and Visa Application for Study in China. The applicants should return their Residence Cards, have their passports changed into ordinary passports, and have their original visas cancelled by the Department of Consular Affairs. They should apply for study visas (X type) at the local public security bureau and complete relevant procedures.

For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

XIII. Spouse Employment

(I) Procedures for spouses to apply for employment

 If the spouse of a member of a diplomatic mission wishes to apply for a job, the mission should send a note verbale to the Protocol Department, stating waiver of privileges and immunities enjoyed by the spouse in China. The spouse should return his or her certificate of identity issued by the Protocol Department and bring his or her passport to the Consular Department to have the original visa canceled.

(II) Procedures to be completed after application for employment is approved

 After the application for employment is approved, the spouse should apply for a working visa outside the Chinese territory with a photocopy of the job offer of the Chinese employer and his or her passport. The spouse should complete the formalities for residence at the local public security bureau after entering China. Once employed, the spouse should register with local tax bureau and pay taxes in accordance with the Chinese law. If the employed spouse is married to a diplomat, his/her name shall no longer be included in the Diplomatic List. 

 For further information, please contact the Office of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of the Protocol Department.

 XIV. Visits to China by State Guests and Foreign VIPs

 Before visits to China by state guests and VIPs arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions should provide the following information in writing to the Protocol Department: 

 (I) Biographical notes of the visiting state guests and their accompanying spouses for press release. For state or official visit, photos of the state guests for press release are required. For visit by King or Queen, photos of the accompanying spouses are also required.

 (II) Sample of national flag (flag of the head of state or flag of the king with instruction on how to make and use the sample), music score of the national anthem (military or piano music score preferred), DVD or CD of the national anthem (with the lines of the anthem attached), folk song, folk music score (with DVD or CD and the name of the music attached).

 (III) Habits, customs, dietary requirement, flower dislikes and blood types of the visiting state guests as well as VIPs and their spouses.

 (IV) Time of arrival and departure, travel route, means of transport and specific flight number or train number of the visiting state guests and VIPs.

 (V) Application for special plane flight clearance. Application for special plane flight clearance for state guests and VIPs should be filed no less than 10 working days before the flight. The application should include the following information: country of registration of the aircraft, purpose of flight, type of the aircraft, identification marks (including nationality and registration marks) of the aircraft, call signs of the radiotelephony, frequency range to be used by the radio station on the aircraft, the air route for the flight within the territory of China, dates and hours of the flight, and name, position and nationality of each crew member. The special plane is allowed to enter China’s territory only after approval by the competent Chinese authorities is granted and after a reply and an approval number are given by the Protocol Department.

 Reception of the crew members of the special plane should be the responsibility of the visiting country. All the expenses of special plane and its crew members in the Chinese territory should be borne by the visiting country (unless there is an agreement on mutual exemption). 

 (VI) Application for firearms. Such application should be filed at least 5 working days before the arrival of the state guests and VIPs. The application should include the following information: name of the bearer, type, serial number, and caliber of the firearm and the quantity of bullets. 

 (VII) Application for the use of walkie-talkies. Such application should be filed at least 20 working days before the arrival of the state guests and VIPs. The following information should be included in the application: name of equipment, trade mark, model, quantity, frequency range, operating frequencies, transmission power, type of emission, mode of operation and modulation, type, specification and height of antenna, call sign, location and purpose of operation (security, news coverage, or communication between places of accommodation), and duration and time of operation. The use of such equipment is subject to approval by the competent Chinese authorities.

For further information, please contact the Office of VIP Reception of the Protocol Department.